Prince William is reportedly planning to gift girlfriend Kate Middleton a gundog for Christmas.

The Royal allegedly asked gamekeepers at Sandringham to help find a chocolate labrador from the royal estate's bloodline.

"He's hoping she'll be thrilled," the Daily Star quoted a royal aide as saying.

The aide added: "When she's home William wanted her to have something to remember him by. And if she is going to be a royal she'd better start loving dogs!"

Kate was also said to have scored points with the animal-loving Queen, under whose eyes the pup will purportedly be trained.

An aide said: "The Queen doesn't put much faith in people, she prefers animals. So if she's ready to hand someone a dog it shows how much she really trusts them."